IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Antioch CA area and across the United States, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Antioch CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Antioch CA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Antioch CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Antioch CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Antioch CA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Antioch CA home, you have to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's important that you find out if the vet colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Antioch CA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.